Gayatri and her husband Sri. V. Balagurunathan, are products of world famous Kalakshetra Foundation based in the south Indian city of Chennai (Madras.) The duo have one goal in mind - to spread the varied culture and glorious heritage of Indian classical dance. Together, they have toured many countries and have conducted many shows and workshops for a variety of audiences.

They have been gifted to carry on the classical tradition of dance from their mentor and guru Smt. Krishnaveni Lakshmanan. Krishnaveni herself is a dancer, choreographer and producer for dance-dramas and was the Principal of Kalakshetra.

Krishnaveni Lakshmanan

Nritya Choodamani Smt. Krishnaveni Lakshmanan, gifted alumnus of Kalakshetra, under the overall guidance of Rukmini Devi, S. Sarada, Sarada Hoffman and N.S. Jayalakshmi, has carved out a niche for herself in the field of Bharatanatyam as a brilliant dancer. Krishnaveni has created aesthetically, rich and evocative Natya experience within the bonds dictated by taste and tradition.

That way she has long been known as the best example of Kalakshetra's Bharatanatya. She has won many laurels among which "Nritya Choodamani" (Sri Krishna Gana Sabha - 1976), "UNESCO Award" (Paris - 1984) and "Sangeet Natak Academy Award" (1986) are a few of them. She was Principal of Kalakshetra Foundation from 1997 to 2000.

Gayatri started her lessons under her mother very early and went on to study dance at Kalakshetra and now performs widely and works out of Chennai.Balagurunathan,a post -diploma holder,at present, is working as a dance guru at the Indian Fine Arts Society, Singapore.

The team also runs a performing group in Chennai called Krishnanjali. Besides teaching classical dance, it also promotes folk dances and has presented many dance-dramas including one on the greatest of kings-Ashoka and Akbar at the annual Theosophical Society convention.

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